Debbie Blackwell

Crossroads of America- Indianapolis is commonly referred to as the Crossroads of America and is easily accessible from a wide variety of locations, with many interstate highways bisecting our city. Not only that, but half the nation's population is within a day's drive, which makes traveling to Indy by car an attractive option for many. If flying is more your speed, the Indianapolis International Airport offers travel on 11 airlines and nonstop and direct flights to 39 destinations. And, it's only a short 15-minute drive to the heart of downtown.

Attractions Abound in Downtown Indy- Once you arrive, you'll find Indy to be a fresh and diverse cultural city with an enriching array of arts, attractions, historical sites and special events. Visit the Indiana Repertory Theatre for the best in professional theatre including comedies, dramas and musicals, both contemporary and classic, on two stages. Take a listen to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra while they move you with music at the Hilbert Circle Theatre. With a year-round performance schedule of 200 classical, pop and seasonal concerts, you can't miss it. Let Indiana history and heritage stir your spirit. Monument Circle is home to the 284-foot Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument. Dedicated in 1902 and made of Indiana limestone, the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument stands as a tribute to the Indiana servicemen who served in the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. Thirty-two stories up, an observation tower provides a panoramic view of the city skyline. Considered second only to Washington, DC in number of memorials, Indianapolis pays homage and respect to Medal of Honor recipients, fallen law enforcement and firefighters and Indiana servicemen and women who died in conflicts from the Civil War to Somalia. Indianapolis is also home to one of only 26 national monuments in the country. Situated on the east bank of the Central Canal, the USS Indianapolis Memorial recognizes those who died on the last U.S. ship to sink during World War II. Etched on one side is the story of the sinking with the names of all those who served on the other. Please everyone in your party by visiting attraction-filled White River State Park. White River State Park, nestled in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, has cultural, educational and recreational activities to offer something interesting to each visitor. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is a showplace for the art, culture and history of the American West and its indigenous people. Indian Market is their signature event, held each summer, featuring works from more than 150 Native American artists from across the country. Follow the journey of the student-athlete at the NCAA Hall of Champions. Through a variety of highly interactive displays and video presentations, visitors are able to see and hear athletes and coaches describe how they excelled in their respective sports. Get back to nature at the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens, where plants and animals are the main attraction. The nation's only accredited combined zoo, aquarium and botanical garden, it occupies 64 acres in White River State Park. The Indianapolis Zoo, divided into biomes, features nearly 4,000 animals and is home to the state's largest aquarium and the country's first totally submerged, underwater dolphin viewing dome and a huge shark touch tank. White River Gardens gets two green thumbs up for its seasonal botanical shows, theme demonstration gardens and 5,000 square-foot conservatory filled with tropical plants. Explore Indiana's past, present and future through a variety of interactive exhibits at the Indiana State Museum. While there, get a first-hand account of the state's African-American history in the Legacy Theater, where four themed performances stages provide a diverse cultural experience of black heritage in Indiana, or see a larger-than-life movie at the IMAX theater.

Get your Cultural Kicks in Indy- Venture outside of our compact, convenient downtown and you'll find more of the same...exciting and educational attractions for visitors of all ages. Feast your eyes on paintings, sculptures, photographs and textiles from African, American, Asian and European collections at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), one of the largest general art museums in the United States. While on the IMA grounds, glimpse Indiana history and take a tour of Oldfields - Lilly House and Gardens museum home with eight restored and furnished historic rooms or enjoy a leisurely stroll around their 152 acres admiring gorgeous gardens and al fresco art. Plan to explore Conner Prairie, a 19th century living history museum and frontier village, where the past becomes the present. Experience authentic frontier activities, including a pioneer wedding celebration, baseball game and barn dancing. It's good, old-fashioned family fun. Speaking of families and fun, one cannot visit Indianapolis without frolicking at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. The five-story museum houses 100,000 artifacts in 11 galleries that explore the physical and natural sciences, history, foreign culture and the arts. Many of the exhibits are interactive and participatory, encouraging hands-on learning. Take a ride on the turn-of-the-century carousel or get a great view of the stars at SpaceQuest Planetarium. Dinosphere represents one of the largest displays of real juvenile and family dinosaur fossils in the United States and invites you to experience the Cretaceous Period in a multi-level, multi-sensory, immersive environment that intrigues and educates visitors of all ages.

Racing Reigns Supreme in Indy- When it comes to racing, Indianapolis takes the checkered flag every time. Commonly referred to as the "Racing Capital of the World," Indianapolis hosts the two largest single-day sporting events in the world: the Indianapolis 500 and the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard . Visit the Hall of Fame Museum on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to discover how the city's love affair with racing started, where it's been and where it's going. Be part of more high-octane action at O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis (ORP), just a few short miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and home to the richest drag racing event in the world. Lightening speeds and the deafening roar of massive motors return to the quarter-mile drag strip each Labor Day weekend for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. ORP's six-month season includes more than 100 days of racing excitement, including the Kroger SpeedFest, NASCAR Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series and five annual USAC races.

Sporting & Special Events Score Big- Racing is certainly not all Indy has to offer the sports-minded. The city boasts professional teams in most major sports including basketball, football and baseball. Enjoy America's favorite pastime with an incredible view of the downtown skyline with the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field. Watch the NBA's Pacers or WNBA's Fever drive and score at Conseco Fieldhouse, a monument to Indiana's rich basketball tradition reminiscent of times gone by with the state-of-the-art capabilities for today. The NFL's Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl XLI Champions, will take to the gridiron in their brand new home, Lucas Oil Stadium, for high energy, adrenaline pumping excitement during the 2008 season. From sporting events to special events, Indianapolis hosts all kinds. In May, swells of people come to the city to participate and spectate during the 500 Festival, a series of fun and family-friendly events culminating in the running of the Indianapolis 500. Events include the Mini Marathon, Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival Parade. Listen to the smooth sounds of the Indy Jazz Fest in White River State Park. Explore the city's African-American heritage and culture with the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. This weeklong event includes an employment fair, health and wellness fair, concerts and more than 1,000 consumer exhibits. Revel in the sights, sounds, smells and sensations of the Indiana State Fair, the oldest state fair in the country held for a dozen days each August. Superb ShoppingTop Don't forget to take home your Indianapolis gift or souvenir. Explore the Circle Centre mall, where you'll find the state's only Nordstrom among 100 other specialty stores. For an upscale shopping experience, visit the Fashion Mall at Keystone Crossing, featuring Saks Fifth Avenue, Crate & Barrel and Tiffany & Co. Check out Indy's interesting cultural districts, including Massachusetts Avenue with its galleries, shops and one-of-a-kind restaurants. If antiques are what you're looking for, take a short drive southeast of downtown to Fountain Square, where you'll find more than 200 antique dealers in specialty stores and art galleries. Or, browse the eclectic boutiques and vintage clothing shops of Broad Ripple Village and dine in one of their many restaurants, featuring a vast array of offerings from sandwiches to sushi to steak. Stroll the brick-lined streets of quaint and quiet Zionsville, located 20 minutes north of downtown Indianapolis, where more than 50 specialty shops and restaurants await.

Delectable Dining-Did someone mention food? Indy's diverse and abundant restaurant selection gives diners a lot to chew on, from familiar chain restaurants to exciting and surprising independent, local establishments. Tempt your taste buds with succulent steak or savory seafood. Travel around the globe without ever leaving the city with Indy's impressive variety of ethnic eateries, located all across town. Catch the big game on one of the many TVs at area sports bars and neighborhood pubs, many located in or near hotel properties. The nightlife in Indianapolis is as varied and vibrant as its other offerings. Relax in a cozy lounge while listening to cool jazz, get your groove on in a high-energy dance club or sip sophisticated concoctions in an upscale martini bar. Whatever your pleasure, Indianapolis promises to not go to sleep until you do!

Absolutely Accommodating-First-class accommodations are available all over the city and surrounding areas. Try the downtown ambiance for a romantic weekend for two and experience the classic charm of Indianapolis. Seven downtown hotels with more than 2,800 rooms are connected via skywalk to the Indiana Convention Center, which creates a convenient package for convention delegates. Affordable, family-focused properties are abundant and located only a short distance from area attractions. Looking for some quiet time? Indianapolis has an array of quaint bed and breakfast inns that will pamper and rejuvenate the weariest of travelers. Indianapolis delivers an outstanding and exciting visitor experience with a wide variety of easy to get to attractions coupled with friendly people in a warm environment! Be part of the action now and return again soon with your family and friends! Indianapolis...so easy to do so much!